Hernial bandage or truss.



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v BRCCHI.

HERNIAL BANDAGE 0R THUSS. (ppucation mad sept. s, 1902.) (no. modem 2 sumssnm -l.

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HEBNIL BANDAGE-UB TBUSS. (Application mea sgpt. s, moz.)

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UNTTED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

VINCENZO BROCCI'II, OF MILAN, ITALY.

HERNiIAL BANDAGE OR TRUSS.

EPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 715,010, dated December 2, 1902.

Application filed September 8, 1902. Serial No. 122,601. (No model.)

To a/ZZ wiz/0m, t may concern,.-

Be it known that I, VINCENZO BRoccHI, a subject of the King of Italy, residing at Milan, Italy, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in I-Iernial Bandages or Trusses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a novel hernial bandage or truss characterized by the fact that the surfaces intended for the compression of the inguinal ring have a suitable form resembling that of a lunar arc of double curvature, so that they adapt themselves perfectly to the groin and remain in position without any special effort of compression, which is so disagreeable to the wearer. The surfaces intended for the compression of the inguinal ring are formed of small padded cushions upon steel blades of semilunar form, and these blades present, as compared with the compression-plates carried by ordinary elastic bandages, the advantage of obviating all pressure at the level of the thighs, and consequently upon the crural vessels and nerves. The special feature of this novel bandage resides in this small blade of semilunar form of double curvature.

The novel elastic bandage is represented, by way of example, in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a View of the complete bandage. Figs. 2 and 3 are two rear side elevations of the small cushion, properly so called, serving to compress the inguinal ring; and Fig. l is a view of the special metallic blade above referred to.

The novel bandage comprises the following parts: In the first place, two leather bands a and b are connected one with the other by means of a buckle c, the opposite extremities of these two parts being sewed to two wider bands d d, formed of elastic fabric and both of the same length.V To these elastic bands are sewed two special cushions c e, of padded skin, to which is imparted a double curvature, so that they adapt themselves perfectly to the formof the groin. This arched form of double curvature is given to the skin-covered cushions c c by a core which is constituted by a small iron plate, (see Fig. 4,) which is flexible and having a semilunar form, so as to correspond to the formation of the groin. In

this plate is formed a longitudinal slot for the purpose hereinafter described. In this manner the two cushions c c serve to maintain the hernia in place by furnishing the necessary pressure, and thus forming the single rigid point intermediate to the flexible parts of the bandage. To the extremities of the two cushions c e are applied two rubber tubes ff, provided internally with an elastic fabric- These tubes are sewed to two skin tags g g, provided with holes. The rubber tubes j'f and the tags of skin g g serve as an elastic roll for maintaining in position the cushions c e, and the tags g g may be hooked to two spring-hooks 7L h, xed to the elastic band CZ d, the pressure to be exerted being regulated according to circumstances. In addition to this there is a band of elastic or of skin k, fixed to one of the cushions c, which may be hooked to the other at c' and which serves to maintain fixed and firm the two portions of the bandage and at the same time to maintain the cushions e a suitable distance apart. Finally there is applied to the bandage the small cushion, properly so called, which is represented inl Figs. 2 and 3. This small cushion is formed by a metallic plate and by two small iron shields which are removed from or brought nearer to the' said plate in order to effect the raising or lowering of the cushion, the whole being suitably padded and covered with skin. This raising or lowering is controlled by a special adjustable-screw at the rear side of the cushion. In addition two screws Z l serve to fix the small cushion in the suitable position by means of the slot which is formed in the arched metallic plate and through which slot the said screws Z Z are passed before they are tightened in their nuts.

It will be understood from the foregoing description that the novel bandage or truss is not circular, as are those hitherto used, whether they are elastic or have a fixed spring, and consequently it does not cause the discomfort to the patient which is produced by suchV circular bandages, which latter in addition frequently permit the escape of the hernia owing to their displacement.

In the novel bandage the whole of the pressure is uniformly distributed and the whole of the hernia is contained by means of the IOC small cushion the pressure of which may be graduated at will. The novel bandage also presents a great advantage over ordinary trusses owing to the fact that it is always fixed so that the hernia is invariably perfectly contained in any position of the person, and it may Well be worn even in bed. FinallyJ the novel bandage, even if it is Very tight, does not compress the waist, and it produces no discomfort, because it is open in front and joinsat the lower belly, as shown in Fig. 5.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

The novel hernial bandage or truss as above described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the characteristic features of such truss being the special arched form of double curvature of the pads or cushions, this form being obtained by means of a similarly-arched steel core of double curvature, so that the cushions adapt themselves perfectly to the groin, another feature being the arrangement of elastic bands d, of leather bands a b, of elastic rolls f g and Iinally of junction-bands 7c; this bandage being laced above at the lumbar extremities passing over the iliac ridge and traversing automatically without necessity for pressure the base of the basin at the abdominal region, passing over the groins in surrounding completely the root of the thighs and terminating its path upon the right and left hand flanks, the two branches of the bandage being connected upon the pubis by means of an' elastic bridgepiece.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 23d day of August, 1902.

BROOCI-II, VINCENZO.

Witnesses:

MICHELEDE DRAzos, H. P. SMITH. 

